School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 7-17
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
School Visitors
A. Visitors to the Schools
The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach welcomes visits by citizens of the city to their public schools. Visitors are expected to act in a manner consistent with School Board policies and regulations for student conduct. In order to protect the students, staff and property, visitors during the school day first shall report to the principal's office for authorization to be in the building or on the grounds. The School Board authorizes the Superintendent to take all necessary actions regarding the safety, order and preservation of the educational environment on School Board property or at School Board sponsored activities. The Superintendent shall formulate and post in the schools such regulations as are necessary to protect students and property from unauthorized or disruptive visitors. Law enforcement officers may be called upon to enforce this policy in cases of uncooperative violators.
Parents of students in the schools are encouraged to visit the schools and their children's teachers. However, parents should make arrangements in advance in order to be assured that school personnel will be available to meet with them. The visitor(s) shall be treated in a courteous manner and shall be afforded prompt and informative replies to legitimate questions.
B. Trespassing
Unauthorized persons entering the public schools for the purposes of disrupting same or who create disturbances on school property shall be subject to punishment as defined in the Code of Virginia. Administrators shall inform such law enforcement officers and agencies as are required to maintain order or remove unauthorized or uncooperative visitors from school property.
No person shall be in a school building or on school grounds during hours of darkness unless the person is on official school business, is participating in a supervised school activity, is authorized by an administrator, is at an activity open to the public or is a member of an organization having permission to use the school facilities. Unauthorized persons loitering upon school property may be treated as trespassers.
The Superintendent or his designee may take all appropriate actions against persons who cause or pose a threat or disruption to the educational environment or school activities by: 1) committing criminal or disruptive acts on School Board property or against students or employees; 2) committing criminal or disruptive acts at School Board sponsored activities; 3) having convictions or administrative findings that the Superintendent or his designee determines make the person a potential or actual threat or disruption to the educational environment; 4) other good and just cause as determined by the Superintendent or his designee. The Superintendent is authorized to create regulations or other guidance to address these issues.
Legal Reference:
Code of Virginia, § 18.2-128, as amended. Trespass upon church or school property.
Code of Virginia, §18.2-415, as amended. Disorderly conduct in public places.
Adopted by School Board: October 21,1969
Amended by School Board: October 21, 1981
Amended by School Board: August 21, 1990
Amended by School Board: July 16, 1991
Amended by School Board: October 20, 1992
Amended by School Board: September 21, 2010